Modular Mystique class

Also called domino or patchwork knitting, modular knitting is a way to create fabric one piece at a time, joining as you go. This is a great technique for stash-busting or for showing off multicolored yarns. Students will evaluate subtle differences between various methods. They’ll also explore easy ways to create different geometric shapes. Many pieced quilt patterns can be reproduced in knitting using this method.

Skill level is intermediate.
Prerequisite: Students should be able to knit, purl, and double-decrease.

What you will learn:
how to make a mitered square
how to join as you go, rather than seaming after the fact
how to make modular join-as-you-go strips
shaping schemes for squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, and diamonds

Maximum 20 students.

½ day workshop

Students receive a handout in booklet form, including the pattern for the tissue cover.

No materials fee.

No homework, per se. If you haven’t worked 3-into-1 decreases for awhile, please refresh your memory on your preferred method of using stitch markers to keep double decreases aligned over multiple rows.

Supplies:

• class yarn (smooth, non-splitting, light or bright or medium color) in two contrasting colors, if possible OR use a variegated or long-print yarn
• appropriate needles; 7-inch long double-pointed needles work well but any needles will do
• stitch markers for marking double-decreases

I bring a large stack of swatches, each marked with a tag describing the shaping (this information is repeated in the handout). I also bring swatches showing Horst Schultz's three methods of joining columns and Vivian Høxbro's three methods of joining columns.

No special needs for the room set up. A whiteboard or flip chart is nice to have but not need to have. I have a projector if the facilities can accommodate it. Room set-up should be tables and chairs either facing forward or in a U-shape.

A version of this class has been taught under the name “Koigu Modular Fun” at
The Whole Nine Yarns, Woodstock GA;
Purly Gates, Marietta GA (now closed).

This class has been taught in its current form at
Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival 2014, West Friendship MD;
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2014, Fletcher NC;
Georgia FiberFest 2015, Columbus GA;
Kanuga Knitting and Quilting Retreat 2017, Hendersonville NC;
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2017, Fletcher NC;
Carolina Fiber Fest 2019, Raleigh NC;
Blue Ridge Fiber Fest 2019, Sparta NC;
Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival 2021, Pittsburgh, PA;
Unwind, Blowing Rock NC, November 2021;
Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival 2023, Pittsburgh PA.